Stephane Quintal's 'Roid Rage

Stephane Quintal spoke out yesterday about performance-enhancing drugs in the NHL, saying that up to 40% of its players take some kind of stimulant, and some have actually taken anabolic steroids - a statement that shouldn't have surprised many people. To suggest that no one in hockey is on steroids is nothing short of stupid; the league has a policy of random drug tests in place, but that policy is by no means foolproof, so it is apparently quite easy for some players to slip through the snare.

If you're worried that your favourite all-star is taken performance enhancers, then not to fear: if a player has played in a World Championship, a World Junior Championship, the Olympics, or last year's World Cup, then he's been tested for steroids, and they test extremely thoroughly, as everyone knows. Some of those drugs can remain in the body for some time, and although there are steps that users can take to flush the remnants out of their systems, it's unlikely that any honourable (and intelligent) player who knew he would get the chance to represent his country would take the risk...of course, we're all aware how uncommon common sense can be.

Most of the players who are likely using performance-enhancers are the lower-end guys who have less to lose: enforcers, fourth-liners, number-seven defencemen. Career minor-leaguer and tough guy Dennis Bonvie says that he's positive he has fought players who were taking some kind of growth-enhancement substance, which is no surprise; this calibre of player makes his money by getting in as many big-league fights as he can before he gets sent back down to the farm, so anything to give that guy an edge will be considered, if his morals allow it.

With regards to the question of stimulants, this concerns things like Sudafed and caffeine. The World Anti-Doping Agency has taken these both off the banned substance list, saying there's no proof that any amount of Sudafed enhances performance (Silken Laumann would have loved to hear that about ten years ago, I'm sure). With a few exceptions (such as marijuana), the NHL uses WADA's list of banned substances; it's encouraging that they're staying on the same page as the world's major governing bodies with regards to this kind of issue. Hopefully the NHL and NHLPA are proactive enough to include an even tougher drug policy in the new CBA, with regular testing for all players, as well as random tests throughout the year, even in the summer months...because the last thing hockey needs is to go through what baseball is right now, congressionally-issued subpoenas and all.